Funding

Micronotes Receives $910k in Funding

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Funding, Micronotes

MicronotesLogo4.jpgCross-selling is an effective tool in financial services, helping banks market everything from mortgages to new savings accounts. Micronotes‘ Cross-Sell helps banks take the sales conversation from the branch to the online channel.

According to an SEC filing, this week, the Massachusetts-based company announced it pulled in $910,000 in funding, bringing its total to $4.8 million. It plans to use the funding to drive the business to profitability.
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Micronotes’ Cross-Sell technology enables consumers to lead themselves through the sales process by answering questions about their status and interests. Aside from helping banks generate leads and learn more about customers, it also offers the opportunity to educate customers about products and services.

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Bolstr Raises $1.7 Million in Seed Funding

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Bolstr, Funding

BolstrLogo.jpg

Since its launch in 2011 Bolstr has been on a mission to offer a simple way for small businesses to get financing quickly. It began lending in 2013 and since then, the 1,000+ investors on its platform have delivered $1 million to more than 12 companies.

The Chicago-based startup pulled in its first round of funding yesterday. The $1.7 million comes from Montage Ventures, Kapor Capital, DRW Trading Group, Merrick Ventures, and Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati.

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Bolstr will use the funding to add to its six-person team and scale the platform. It aims to host 15 to 20 deals per month by the end of this year (it did not disclose its current volume).

On the Bolstr platform, accredited investors contribute to small business’ funding campaigns, which range from $25,000 to $500,000. The businesses have 30 days to reach their target amount, but since launch, every campaign has reached its goal within five days.

Businesses retain full ownership and pay investors back over 12 to 36 months, depending on the agreed-upon revenue share. So far, there have been zero defaults.

Bolstr debuted its platform at FinovateFall 2012 in New York.

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Fintech Fundings: 16 Companies Raise $150 Million Last Week of January

By Jim Bruene Posted on
Categories: Funding

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January went out with a bang, with another $150 million invested into 16 fintech companies. Finovate alums secured two-thirds of the cash with four companies taking in $90 million: Transferwise ($58 million), Ripple Labs ($30 million), Bolstr ($1.7 million) and Spreedly ($150,000).

In January, a total of $772 million was raised, $565 million in equity and $200 million in debt. That’s an annual run rate of more than $9 billion, or about $7 billion only considering the equity investments. 
The deals from Jan 24 through Jan 30 in order of size:

International money transfers
Latest round: $58 million
Total raised: $90.4 million
Tags: Remittance, international transfers, FX, payments, SMB, London, UK, Finovate alum
Source: Finovate
Open source payment network 
Latest round: $30 million
Total raised: $39 million
Tags: Cryptocurrency, virtual payments, San Francisco, California, Finovate alum
Source: Finovate
Digital lender
Latest round: $17 million
Total raised: $32 million
Tags: Credit, lending, personal loans, student loans, refi, San Francisco, California 
Source: Crunchbase
Builds trust between business & trading partners
Latest round: $12.5 million
Total raised: $12.5 million
Tags: B2B, SMB, enterprise, payments, identification, security, McLean, Virginia 
Source: Crunchbase
High-tech and high-touch bookkeeping services
Latest round: $7.0 million
Total raised: $10 million
Tags: Accounting, SMB, bookkeeping, Techstars, Vancouver, Canada
Source: Crunchbase
Solutions to automate accounts payables
Latest round: $6.0 million
Total raised: $10.2 million
Tags: Invoicing, billing, SMB, B2B, accounts payables, billpay, payments, Beaverton, Oregon
Source: Crunchbase
Helping consumers manage health care savings accounts 
Latest round: $5.1 million
Total raised: $5.1 million
Tags: Healthcare, payments, HSA, FSA, health insurance, Hunt Valley, Maryland 
Source: Crunchbase

Personal financial mangagement
Latest round: $3.7 million
Total raised: $7.8 million
Tags: Personal finance, money management, consumer, aggregation, PFM, online, mobile banking, Edinburg, Scotland, UK
Source: Crunchbase
Remittances that directly pay for goods & services
Latest round: $2.8 million
Total raised: $3.6 million
Tags: Remittances, payments, P2P transfers, Africa, Paris, France
Source: Crunchbase
Blockchain technology
Latest round: $2.5 million
Total raised: $2.5 million
Tags: Cryptocurrency, payments, blockchain, bitcoin
Source: Crunchbase
Crowdlending for small businesses
Latest round: $1.7 million
Total raised: $1.7 million
Tags: Lending, underwriting, SMB, investing, Carthage, Illinois, Finovate alum
Source: Finovate
Japanese Bitcoin exchange
Latest round: $1.1 million
Total raised: $2.9 million
Tags: Cryptocurrency, payments, Japan
Source: Crunchbase
Social lending platform
Latest round: $1.0 million
Total raised: $1.0 million
Tags: Lending, underwriting, social networks, P2P, peer-to-peer, New York City
Source: Crunchbase
Credit card with highly customizable controls
Latest round: $1.0 million
Total raised: $1.0 million
Tags: Credit, debit cards, customization, YC, security 
Source: Crunchbase
Netherlands Bitcoin exchange
Latest round: $570,000
Total raised: $570,000
Tags: Cryptocurrency, payments, Netherlands
Source: Coindesk
Secure card tokenization technology
Latest round: $150,000
Total raised: $2.2 million
Tags: Credit/debit cards, security, payments, Durham, North Carolina
Source: Crunchbase

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Fintech Fundings: 13 Companies Raise Nearly $400 Million This Week

By Jim Bruene Posted on
Categories: Funding

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The new year finally blasted off this week with nearly $400 million in new money headed to the hot sector ($194 million equity, $200 million debt). The majority of the cash ($322 million or 82%) went to Finovate alums including Kreditech ($200 million), Coinbase ($75 million including money from two retail banks, USAA and BBVA), Motif Investing ($40 million from China), True Link ($3.4 million), and Kofax ($1.9 million). In addition, one Finovate alum, prepaid card white-label specialist Akimbo was acquired by Payment Data Systems.
This brings total funding for the month to more than $630 million ($430 million equity, $200 million debt), a healthy $10 billion annual run rate (see recaps from 1st week, 2nd week of January). 
The deals from Jan 17-23 in order of size: 
Alternative banking & lending products 
Latest round: $200 million (debt)
Total raised: $263 million (includes $215 mil debt)
Tags: Mobile, lending, underwriting, online banking, Hamburg, Germany, Finovate alum
Source: Finovate
Cryptocurrency wallet and exchange
Latest round: $75 million
Total raised: $106.7 million
Tags: Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, Investors: USAA, BBVA, NYSE, San Francisco, California, Finovate alum
Source: Finovate
Giftcard marketplace for buying and selling
Latest round: $56 million
Total raised: $82.2 million
Tags: Prepaid, gift card, merchant, POS, fee income, Chicago, Illinois
Source: Crunchbase
Automated investment advice for consumers
Latest round: $40 million
Total raised: $126 million
Tags: Consumer, investing, robo-advisor, wealth management, ETFs, Renren (investor), San Mateo, California, Finovate Best of Show alum
Source: Finovate
Mobile-first payments platform
Latest round: $9.1 million
Total raised: $14.1 million
Tags: Payments, apps, mobile, SMB, London, UK
Source: FT Partners
Italian payment network
Latest round: $6.4 million
Total raised: $6.4 million
Tags: Mobile payments, micropayments, P2P, peer-to-peer, Milan, Italy
Source: Crunchbase
Prepaid card with advanced controls for seniors
Latest round: $3.4 million
Total raised: $3.4 million
Tags: Prepaid card, credit, debit, controls, security, seniors, YC, California
Source: Finovate
Document and image capture technology
Latest round: $1.9 million
Total raised: $11.5 million (public KOFX)
Tags: Remote capture, enterprise, mobile, Irvine, California
Source: Crunchbase
Social trading network
Latest round: $1.0 million
Total raised: $1.0 million
Tags: Investing, consumer, social networks, Mountain View, California
Source: Crunchbase
Securities market technology
Latest round: $800,000
Total raised: $800,000
Tags: Trading, investment management, enterprise, Bangkok, Thailand
Source: Crunchbase
Secure mobile payments with your signature
Latest round: $700,000
Total raised: $700,000
Tags: Security, mobile payments, Antwerp, Belgium
Source: Crunchbase
Online and mobile payments
Latest round: $500,000
Total funding: $9.0 million
Tags: Payments, mobile, Palo Alto, California
Source: FT Partners
Canadian provider of blockchain-powered smart contracts
Latest round: Undisclosed
Total raised: Unknown
Tags: Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, legal, identity, security, Vancouver, Canada
Source: FT Partners
—————
Exits
White-label prepaid card solutions
Price: $3 million
Buyer: Payment Data Systems
Tags: Prepaid card, gift card, debit, San Antonio, Texas, Finovate alum
Source: Finovate

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Kreditech Secures $200 Million Line of Credit

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Funding, Kreditech

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Germany-based Kreditech said, “hallo” to a $200 million line of credit yesterday. Victory Park Capital supplied the debt.

The company has served 2 million customers in 9 countries since launching in 2012. It will use this debt to “address the growing demand for loans of longer durations at fair prices.”

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Kreditech CFO, Rene Griemens says, “Setting the stage for our upcoming Series C financing round, the credit facility will reaccelerate our growth well beyond the 500 percent per year mark.” According to TechCrunch, the impending Series C round will bring Kreditech to a $750 million pre-money valuation before its anticipated IPO in two to three years.

Kreditech uses its big data credit-scoring technology to better serve the world’s un and underbanked population, which accounts for four billion people. Earlier this month it acquired Kontomierz for its KYC technology and ability to get unique data in real-time.

Check out its live demo from FinovateSpring 2014.

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BlueVine Grabs $18.5 Million to Increase Small-Business Lending

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: BlueVine, Funding

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Being a small business short on funds is never a good thing. However, with more startups tackling short-term funding headaches for small businesses, there are now more options available.

For example, BlueVine Capital raised $18.5 million in a series B round today, bringing its total funding to $24 million. The announcement comes a day after its competitor, Taulia, pulled in $15 million.

The funding was co-led by 83North (formerly Greylock Partners) and Lightspeed Ventures. Silicon Valley Bank, Correlation Ventures and private investors also contributed.

The Palo Alto-based company will use the funding to expand into new verticals and add software integration. It also plans to double its employee base this year.

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In March of 2014, BlueVine beta-launched its cloud-based platform that helps small businesses smooth out their cash flow by freeing up funds stuck in unpaid invoices. Businesses can receive credit lines from $5,000 to $50,000.

Since launch, BlueVine has processed thousands of invoices and provided several million dollars to small businesses in the U.S.

Check out BlueVine’s debut at FinovateFall 2014 in New York.

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Taulia’s Fresh $15 Million to Fuel International Growth

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Funding, Taulia

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Invoice management company, Taulia, raised $40 million over the last six months, and brought in even more cash yesterday. The new, $15 million installment, which has been added to its previously-closed Series D round, comes from Zouk Capital.

Since launching in 2009, the San Francisco-based company acquired BillFLO in 2011 and has raised a total of $91 million. It operates primarily in North America and Europe and the new funds will be used to fuel international expansion.

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The growing funding mirrors the company’s rising success. Over the past year, Taulia has doubled the number of employees to 200. Additionally, its network of suppliers has grown by 186%.

At the start of 2015, Tauila brought Rik Thorbecke on board as CFO. In the remainder of the year, the company plans to bolster R&D efforts and expand its enhanced financing options for buyers.

Taulia demonstrated its Early Invoicing Platform at FinovateSpring 2012.

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LendingRobot Pulls in $3 Million to Boost Your Lending Club and Prosper Portfolios

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Funding, LendingRobot

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Yesterday, LendingRobot received $3 million in funding for its platform that helps individuals invest like pros on P2P lending sites, Prosper and Lending Club. Europe-based Runa Capital led the Series A round.

The new funding, plus the undisclosed amount received in a Seed round last April, brings LendingRobot’s total raised to somewhere north of $3 million.

The Washington state-based company plans to use the funds to add new features, enhance its prediction models, and accelerate growth.

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LendingRobot uses an algorithm to invest users’ available balance in their Prosper and Lending Club accounts to get them the best return.

How is this different from Prosper’s QuickInvest or Lending Club’s Automated Investing?

Think of it as Bid Sniper software for eBay-meets P2P Lending. Popular loans are funded seconds after they are posted on Prosper or Lending Club, usually by institutional investors or hedge funds with automated loan investing technology. By the time the average individual makes their investments, often times the best loans have already been snatched up.

Additionally, it offers its 1,000+ users more than 40 filtering criteria to insure their cash is being invested how they want.

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LendingRobot has no up-front fees, and manages users’ first $10,000 for free, after which it takes 0.45% per year.

LendingRobot was recently named a finalist in SWIFT Innotribe’s Startup Challenge.

We featured LendingRobot in our Behind the Scenes feature in May of 2014. Check out LendingRobot’s live debut at FinovateSpring 2014.

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FinTech Fundings: 15 Companies Raised $150 Million Second Week of January 2015

By Jim Bruene Posted on
Categories: Funding
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As expected, capital flow heated up as the new year truly got underway this week. Globally, 15 fintech companies attracted $157 million in new capital (see note below). More than half the total ($84 million) went to Finovate alums App Annie ($55 million), PeerTransfer ($22 million) and Global Debt Registry ($7 million).
There was also an important exit in the space, with Capital One buying up yet another promising personal finance startup, Level, the creator of mobile PFM LevelMoney.
—–
Note: App Annie would not be considered “fintech” by most definitions. But the fact that it targets financial services, among other verticals, and has appeared at Finovate, qualifies it for our tracking. Excluding App Annie, the fintech sector pulled in $102 million this week.
 
 
Fundings (Jan 9 to 16, 2015 in order of size)
 
Business intelligence for mobile applications 
Latest round: $55 million
Total raised: $94 million
Tags: Mobile, apps, San Francisco, California, Finovate alum
Source: Finovate

Aixuidai

Microfinance for Chinese college students to buy goods
Latest round: $40 million
Total raised: $40 million
Tags: Ecommerce, lending, loans, student segment, Rayleigh, China
Source: TechInAsia
Remittance processing for international student tuition
Latest round: $22 million
Total raised: $42.3 million
Tags: Payments, funds transfer, student market, remittance processing, Boston, Massachusetts, Finovate alum
Source: Finovate
Revenue optimization systems for financial institutions
Latest round: $15 million
Total raised: $18.9 million
Tags: Business intelligence, metrics, Tel Aviv, Israel
Source: Crunchbase
Personal lending marketplace
Latest round: $7.7 million
Total raised: $7.7 million
Tags: Person-to-person loans, P2P, credit, investing, marketplace, Trade Me (investor), Aukland, New Zealand
Source: FT Partners
Clearinghouse for charged-off consumer debt obligations 
Latest round: $7 million
Total raised: $7 million
Tags: Debt, collections, lending, Wilmington, Delaware, Finovate alum
Source: Finovate
Amazon web services for the blockchain
Latest round: $3.1 million
Total raised: $3.1 million
Tags: Bitcoin, cloud services, cryptocurrency, blockchain, San Mateo, California
Source: Crunchbase
Indonesian giftcard startup
Latest round: $2 million
Total raised: $2 million
Tags: prepaid cards, debit, gift card, Indonesia
Source: Crunchbase
Payment and marketing services
Latest round: $2 million
Total raised: $2 million
Tags: Payments, marketing, SMB, Bucharest, Romania
Source: FT Partners
Unbiased financial advise as an employee benefit
Latest round: $1.5 million
Total raised: $1.5 million
Tags: Personal finance management, PFM, advise, employee benefits, Charleston, South Carolina
Source: Crunchbase
Investor services platform
Latest round: $1.1 million
Total raised: $1.1 million
Tags: Hedge fund, mutual fund, compliance, back-office, enterprise, New York City
Source: Crunchbase
mSignia bitcoin wallet
Latest round: $500,000
Total raised: $500,000
Tags: Cyrptocurrency, bitcoin, wallet, security, San Diego, California
Source: FT Partners
Parallel computing for financial calculations
Latest round: $400,000
Total raised: $400,000
Tags: Investing, trading, infrastructure, Boston, Massachusetts
Source: Crunchbase
Payment processor for the clinical trials industry
Latest round: Undisclosed
Total raised: $1.5+ million
Tags: Health care, payments, acquirer, merchant, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Source: FT Partners
Payment security technology
Latest round: Undisclosed
Total raised: Unknown
Tags: Security, payments, Allen, Texas
Source: FT Partners
__________________
Exits
LevelMoney mobile personal financial management 
Acquirer: Capital One
Terms: Undisclosed
Funds raised: $5 million
Tags: PFM, money management, mobile app, personal finance
Source: The Verge
Health record and financial solutions for smaller health care provider
Acquirer: Athenahealth
Terms: Undisclosed
Funds raised: Unknown
Tags: Healthcare, payments,
Source: Fortune

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PeerTransfer Secures $22 Million in a Round Led by Bain Capital

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Funding, peerTransfer

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PeerTransfer, a company that makes it easier for international students to pay their tuition bills, should now have an easier time paying its own bills, thanks to a new installment of funding. 

Today, the Boston-based company brought in a $22 million Series D round led by Bain Capital. Previous investors Spark Capital, Devonshire Investors, Accel Partners, and QED Investors also contributed.

The new installment, which almost doubles its previous total, brings peerTransfer’s total raised to $43 million. It plans to use the new capital to expand coverage and penetration at schools in Australia, Asia, Canada, the U.K., and U.S. and advance its payment platform.

Matt Harris, Managing Director at Bain Capital, will join peerTransfer’s board.

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PeerTransfer enables students from 200+ countries and territories to pay their tuition and room & board using bank transfers and credit and debit cards on its payment platform. It is partnered with 600 schools across 10 countries.

Since launching in 2009, the company has processed over $1 billion in international payments and is adding 50 new clients per quarter. During the first half of the 2014/15 academic year, it doubled year-on-year revenue and reached profitability. Alex Finkelstein, General Partner at Spark Capital states that peerTransfer is poised for even faster growth and expansion.

As for the rest of the academic year, CEO Mike Massaro states that the company is on track to deliver $1 billion in cross-border payments processed for the full year. 

PeerTransfer recently won the 2014 BostInno’s 50 on Fire Award. It demonstrated its international payment solution at FinovateSpring 2011.

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Fintech Fundings: 14 Companies Raise $80 Million First Week of 2015

By Jim Bruene Posted on
Categories: Funding
The new year started strong with $81 million raised across 14 fintech companies. It was a very international week with all but $6 million of the total headed outside the United States. The group included soon-to-be-Finovate-alum, iSignThis, an Australian payment security startup appearing at FinovateEurope next month.
Here are the deals from Jan 1 though Jan 8 by size:
Mobile payments for the unbanked
Latest round: $30 million
Total raised: $30 million
Tags: Underbanked, unbanked, mobile, payments, Singapore
Source: Crunchbase
Lending marketplace in Hong Kong
Latest round: $20 million
Total raised: $20 million
Tags: Peer-to-peer lending, P2P, credit, underwriting, investing, Hong Kong, China
Source: Crunchbase
Indian mobile payments startup
Latest round: $10 million
Total raised: $10 million
Tags: Payments, mobile, ecommerce, Secunderabad, India
Source: Crunchbase
UK-based mortgage lender
Latest round: $7.8 million
Total raised: $8.0 million
Tags: Mortgage, lending, underwriting, Liverpool, UK
Source: FT Partners
Lending marketplace in India
Latest round: $4 million
Total raised: $4 million
Tags: Peer-to-peer lending, P2P, credit, underwriting, investing, Gurgaon, India
Source: Crunchbase
iSignThis

Payment security technology
Latest round: $3.1 million
Total raised: $3.1 million
Tags: Security, mobile, payments, Collingwood, Australia
Source: Paypers
Alternative consumer lender
Latest round: $3 million
Total raised: $3 million
Tags: Lending, credit, underwriting, social, San Francisco, California
Source: FT Partners
Automatically manage your bank account balance
Latest round: $1.5 million
Total raised: $1.5 million
Tags: Online banking, PFM, money management, personal finance, Oakland, California
Source: Crunchbase
IFAN Financial (aka iPin Technologies)
Online debit payments 
Latest round: $1.0 million
Total raised: $1.0 million
Tags: Payments, debit card, mobile, San Diego, California
Source: FT Partners
LibertyX (previously Liberty Teller)
Enables Bitcoin purchases offline 
Latest round: $400,000
Total raised: $400,000
Tags: Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, payments, SMB, point-of-sale, POS, Boston, Massachusetts
Source: Crunchbase
 
Socially responsible payments platform
Latest round: $125,000
Total raised: $125,000
Tags: Payments, non-profit fundraising, Edina, Missouri
Source: Crunchbase
Online payment platform for subscriptions
Latest round: $47,000
Total raised: $47,000
Tags: Invoicing, bill payment, SMB, accounting, payments, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Source: Crunchbase
Geolocation services for payments industry
Latest round: Undisclosed
Total raised: $800,000+
Tags: Mobile, security, local, notifications, customer service, Melbourne, Australia
Source: Crunchbase
Digital equity shares management
Latest round: Undisclosed
Total raised: $1.8+ million
Tags: Investing, equity, stock, cap table management, Mountain View, California
Source: Crunchbase

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Finovate Alums Raise More than $2.2 Billion in 2014

Finovate Alums Raise More than $2.2 Billion in 2014
By David Penn Posted on
Categories: Funding, Fundings

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Finovate alums raised more than $2.2 billion in financing in 2014.  More than three-quarters ($1.8 billion) was equity and a quarter ($400 million) was debt.  

The tally for 2014 shows that financiers continue to find fintech a worthwhile destination for their capital. After bringing in more than $825 million in 2013, Finovate alums increased their fundraising by more than 70% this year.

Here are a few highlights:

Most Raised in a Single Round: The biggest single raise of 2014 is best looked at three different ways. In terms of the best overall job of fundraising, Kabbage’s $270 million debt financing stands out. Lending Club’s $865 million IPO is tops in the “IPO Category” (with On Deck Capital’s $200 million IPO coming in second). Taking home top honors for best single venture round is Credit Karma ($85 million in March), with a $75 million raise from TradeShift and $70 million raise from Prosper close behind.

Biggest Quarter: The biggest quarter for fundraising was Q4, in which more than $1.4 billion was raised. The fourth quarter featured major fundings for Credit Karma ($75 million) and BlockChain ($30.5 million), as well as major IPO-related investments from Lending Club ($865 million), Yodlee ($75 million), Monitise ($77m), and On Deck ($200 million).

Biggest Month: The biggest non-IPO fundraising month was April, where more than $333 million was raised. The majority of the month’s fundraising gains came courtesy of the $270 million in debt financing secured by Kabbage. Including IPOs puts December at the top of the list, courtesy of the IPOs of Lending Club ($865 million) and On Deck.

Q1 – More than $233.4 million raised by eight companies

January

February

March

Q2 – More than $458 million raised by eight companies

April

May

June

  • None

Q3 – More than $194 million raised by 17 companies

July

August

September

Q4 – More than $1.4 billion raised by 26 companies

October

November

December

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